Modern Western Civilization: The Renaissance Essay

The main idea behind studying the European History since 1450 is to evaluate the past developments especially in political, social, economic and cultural fields which are considered highly important in shaping the present-day world. Besides the highly valuable narrative of past events and great historic movements, the motives of the AP Program in European History include the development of:

1. The understanding of fundamental themes in the European History.
2. The skills to analyze historical evidence and interpretation thereof, and
3. The expertise to express the understanding of the modern history.

Note: The study-collections relating European history helps students with the Graduate School of Arts & Science programs enabling them to acquire the BA, MA, and Ph.D. degrees in history. The history department offering graduate study in European history from the medieval period to 20^th century focuses on:

• The Medieval Europe i.e. the fall of Europe to 1453,
• The Early Modern Europe i.e. from1400 to 1789,
• The Modern Europe i.e. from1789 to the present-day.

The Medieval Period

The period from 400s to 1400s in European history has been termed as the Middle Ages or Medieval Period, by the historians simply because it lies between the ancient times and the modern world in which we live today. The most turbulent and revolutionary part of this period between 1300s and 1400s was later termed by them as Renaissance. The Middle Ages, in fact, was a dynamic period in Europe history during which Europe had achieved political, linguistic and ethnic modernity. (Deborah, n.d.)

Introduction

An enlightening movement in Europe that started in Italy in 1300s and later spread to major parts of Europe like Spain, Holland, Germany, England etc. and ending approximately in the year 1600 has been termed by historians the ‘Renaissance’. During this period of Renaissance, many eminent scholars in Italy studied the arts and learning of the ancient Rome and Greece in their endeavor to capture their great works in the fields of philosophy, art and literature.

So renaissance, in a way, can be called a period of the revival of Roman and Greek cultures and learning. Theology was considered the prime subject by renaissance philosophers. One religious leader Girolamo Savonarola believed corrupt towns could be changed only once their dwellers passionately practiced Christianity. The renaissance which spread gradually saw the peak of its glory during 1500s. Many men of letters, famed scholars and scientists have accepted beyond doubt that nearly all facets of modern life today has its roots embedded in the renaissance period. (James, n.d)

The Renaissance Starts in Italy

At the beginning of the Renaissance, Italy was politically unstable and was split into 250 states, each separately governed by a city. Some of the largest cities like Venice, Florence and Milan had approximately100, 000 people each and were ruled by the Roman Empire. Since most emperors lived in Germany and virtually had no control over their states, and since there was no central authority who could unify these states, the popes began to take over the whole of Central Italy especially Rome.

During 1400’s, several major cities of Italy came under the dominance of prominent families. The form of government established by the ruling families of the Italian cities was like the principality called Signoria. Other cities had a form of government known as republicanism. The republican government of Florence, for example, was made up of nearly 800 cities mostly the wealthiest of contemporary families. Most proficient Renaissance architects had constructed great monuments and most impressive civic and religious buildings across Florence.

The Medici family dominated the ruling class of Florence until the closing of1430’s. The republican government of Venice, like that of Florence came from the most wealthiest and influential families. Venice was governed by almost 180 of such families. Venice also became a leading center of Cultural Revolution most peculiar to Renaissance art, architecture and philosophical learning, and soon became popular as the great seat of civilization. (James, n.d)

The Spread of Renaissance in Larger Europe

After its rebirth in Italy, and with untiring efforts for the revival of learning, the renaissance gradually spread outside Italy to larger Europe and in other parts as Germany, France, Spain and England. The scholars and visitors like diplomats, merchants and bankers especially carried forward Renaissance culture to the places they migrated especially in late 1400s. The humanity study tools like history and philology which the scholars carried invariably related to the knowledge and learning of humanistic study.

Another factor leading up to the spread of renaissance to remotest corners of Europe was a series of invasions of Italy. The armies of Germany, Spain, and France continued with their invasions of Italy from 1494 to 1500. Dazzled and greatly impressed by the charm and beauty of the Italian art, the invaders, while on their return, carried Italian culture back to their homes and respective countries The ruin of the Roman Empire as depicted from monuments and buildings that stood in every Italian city showed evidence of classical pieces of antiquities that once flooded the capital city of Rome.

This connection or relationship especially between the present and the classical past was not much to be seen elsewhere in Europe. In the wake of Roman conquests and Italian invasions most of the ancient Roman culture had been directly or indirectly thrust upon the western and northern Europeans. An example of the classical antiquity which was imitated throughout Europe was the Gothic art of the middle Ages.

The Renaissance painting outside Italy appeared in the works of artists living in Flanders, a region that lies in what is now France and Belgium. In Flemish Painting particularly even minute details were taken care of very precisely. But the human figure painting, which was although realistic, it lacked the sculptural quality characteristic of the Italian painting. (James,n.d)

The Political Aspect

In the renaissance period the political set-up of western and northern Europe differed drastically from the political structure of Italy. France and England had united under monarchies by the end of 1400, providing to their countries cultural and political stability and leadership. Like Italy Germany too was split-up into many independent states seeking partial unifying or cohesive force through Roman renaissance culture.

The renaissance in western and northern Europe was able to muster support from the great royal courts similar to those provided by princes in Italy. The then king of France, Francis 1 (1515 to 1547) was completely surrounded by the Italian artists like Leonardo da Vinci, and various other reputed scholars and ambassadors of the renaissance. The house of Tudor in England was considered the patron of renaissance. King Henry VII was the first Tudor monarch of England. The Tudor dynasty ruled England from 1485 to 1603 with eminent English scholars always turning to and advocating the renaissance philosophy of the ancient Rome and Greece. (James, n.d)

The Christian Humanism

In the late 1500s, the famously known Humanists in the northern Europe stressed on the study of Bible and encouraged the revival of ancient Christian teachings. These religious scholars called Humanists also edited the ancient text of the Bible and removed many distortions that had been inserted into its text over the years. The texts included pertained to the Bible and such Catholic scholars and churchmen as Saint Jerome and famous Saint Augustine.

Also included were the works by the ancient Greek Church. This editing effort into purgation of the holy text from distortions and perversions was, in fact, a great attempt to purify nearly all of the biblical texts of the Roman Catholic Church. In fact the Humanists believed that in doing so they would be doing a great service to humanity by reforming the Christian religion through logical and educationist approach. (Deborah, n.d.)

The Renaissance Heritage

The Renaissance had left indelible imprints of cultural, artistic, and intellectual heritage on the minds and hearts of subsequent generations. The scholars especially of humanistic approach had been attempting over the centuries to improve upon the works of eminent Renaissance writers such as Boccaccio and Petrarch. The swaying power of the Renaissance architects, painters and sculptors in particular had been very strong indeed. Especially the painters of Rome and Florence have set the lasting standards in painting in the Western world. For centuries together, painters have been traveling to Florence to capture the artistic touch and great skills available in the Giotto and Masaccio’s paintings.

The artists and painters from all over Europe also had been visiting Rome to study the paintings of Michelangelo and Raphael particularly. Besides, the works of Michelangelo and Donatello have greatly inspired painters and sculptors for generations. The stunning paintings of Brunelleschi involving scaled buildings and other Renaissance architects still serve as models for architects today. (Deborah,.n.d.)

Break Away from Medieval Thought

It was in the period from1300 and 1500 that the Medieval Europe very steadily succumbed to today’s Modern Europe. In this period especially between 14^th and 16^th centuries, the period of the Middle Ages overlapping the period in European history came to be called as the Renaissance. However a halt in progress within European nations was made mainly because of factors as:

1. Natural Calamities as Floods badly affecting Agriculture and causing great famine.
2. The outbreak of Plague also called ‘ Black Death ‘ killing half of European population
3. The famous Hundred Years’ War (1337 to 1453) between England and France almost broke the backbone and crippled the economy of the two nations, so also casting adverse effects on the overall economic conditions in Europe. (Deborah, n.d.)

The Mundane Philosophy

It was during the late middle Ages that scholars, scientists and artists started to show lesser concern for religion and religious thinking and devoted more time in the understanding of worldly affairs, the world and people. This new approach or the outlook was termed as Humanism. In this renaissance period more and more authors composed poetry and prose mostly in their native languages (vernacular), and not specifically in Latin.

This increasing use of the vernacular opened a new literary era, and gradually brought learning and literature to the common people. Eventually in the year 1450s, the invention of the printing press in Europe showed that all printed material for learning could thus be created much cheaper. As a result of this different books on myriad subjects began appearing on the market as well as on shelves for many more people to read and make further research in the art of learning.

Thus the cultural, political and economic changes of the Medieval Ages in particular the renaissance period gradually changed the entire Europe, and therefore by the early 1500’s, Europe had no longer been a medieval one. Instead the institutions and more strongly the renaissance culture of the Middle Ages or Medieval Period continued to cast its influence on modern European history. (Deborah,.n.d.)

References

College Board. “European History”. Web.

Deliyannis, Deborah Mauskopf. “Middle Ages.” Web.

Hankins, James. “Renaissance.” Web.

Bobst N.Y. Library. “European History Collection Development Policy.” Web.

“Renaissance”. Web.

“Renaissance-Architecture”. Web.

Exhibits Collection – Interactives. “Renaissance”. Web.